A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 03 eBook

This affair became soon known to the party of Velasquez,
which was more numerous than ours, and its leaders
haughtily demanded of Cortes to desist from these
underhand dealings, as it was his duty to return to
Velasquez, because we were not provided for the establishment
of a colony. Cortes answered mildly, that he
would return immediately; but we of the other party
exclaimed against this resolution; saying that he had
deceived us by pretending to have a commission to
colonize, when it now appeared he only meant to trade,
and we now demanded him to fulfil his original engagement
with us, as most conducive to the service of God and
the king. We asserted that more soldiers would
soon join us, if we were once established; and that
he and Velasquez had drawn us to our ruin, by giving
us hopes of a settlement, which was now denied; and
we insisted on Cortes accepting the command of us,
who were determined to try our fortunes in this new
country, while such as chose to return to Cuba were
welcome to depart. Cortes, after affecting for
some time to refuse our offer, at length complied,
and was appointed by us captain-general and supreme
magistrate, in the name of the king, and without dependence
on Velasquez. The worst part of the business
was, that we assigned him a fifth part at all the gold
which might be acquired, after deducting the share
belonging to the king. Being now formally invested
by us with the supreme authority, of which a formal
instrument was drawn up by Diego de Godoy, the royal
notary, Cortes proceeded immediately to the settlement
of a town, which was denominated Villa Rica, de
la Vera Cruz. It was called Villa Rica,
because of the words of Puertocarrero formerly mentioned,
“behold the rich lands;” and de la
Vera Cruz, because he arrived at this place on
Holy Thursday and disembarked on Good Friday.
On this occasion we elected civil magistrates of the
new colony; Puertocarrero and Montejo being the two
first alcaldes, Pedro de Alvarado captain of the expeditions,
Christoval de Oli maestre de campo, Juan de Escalente
alguazil major, Gonzalo Mexia treasurer, Alonzo de
Avila contador, Corral standard-bearer, Ochoa Viscanio
and Alonzo Romero military alguazils.

These steps gave great offence to the faction of Velasquez,
insomuch that they used many mutinous expressions,
and were almost ready to proceed to acts of violence.
They declared that they would not submit to the usurped
authority of Cortes, being resolved to return to Cuba,
according to the orders and instructions of Velasquez.
Cortes declared that he had no desire to detain any
against their inclinations, even if he should remain
alone. This pacified many of the malcontents;
but Juan Velasquez de Leon, Diego de Ordas, Escobar,
Escudero, and some others were so violent in their
opposition, that Cortes was obliged to have them arrested,
and they were detained for some time in irons.
By a private concert with Cortes, Juan de Escalente